UC Davis Transitioning Bathrooms To Gender-Neutral Facilities
UC DAVIS (CBS13) — UC Davis is now among the colleges nationwide swapping traditional men's and women's bathrooms for gender-neutral facilities.
The male and female signs are being removed from 120 restrooms and they will be converted into the new gender-inclusive ones by the end of the month.
"We're going to convert 120 single-stall restrooms to gender inclusive spaces," said Grant Nejedlo with UC Davis Facilities Management.
The blank space comes after the president of UC schools called for a mandatory shift to gender-inclusive, single-stall restrooms at all of its 10 campuses with a goal of increasing access and comfort for those who identify as transgender, genderqueer and gender nonconforming.
"I think offering safe spaces and letting them know that this campus is inclusive in so many things that it does really fosters an environment that makes people more comfortable and facilities better learning," Nejedlo said.
Sage Fox, the first transgender soldier invited to serve in uniform as her identified gender in the army in 2013, says choosing between traditional bathrooms can often bring fear and anxiety.
"When you're early in transition, you're like which one do I use? I don't know. If I use the women's room they're going to kick me out. If I go to the men's room, they're going to kick me out. I have to use the bathroom, so which one do I use? And it's kind of a lose-lose situation," she said.
Fox believes the changes at UC Davis promote acceptance and a positive cultural shift.
Many students like Astrid Ramos agree.
"With some of my friends, they try to go in passing times when it's not super crowded just because they do get those looks. So, just the fact that they'll have a restroom they can use, it's great," Ramos said.
